Walk in the Light

May 15, 2026

May 15th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I haven’t done much gardening, but I know at least one thing about it.

It is hard work.

Especially if the ground is hard.

You have to break up the ground, remove the weeds, enrich the soil, and plant good seeds at the proper depth with the proper space.

Then you have to tend it.

That takes diligence and consistency.

If you do all these things and the weather cooperates, there is nothing quite like garden fresh vegetables!

The last time I tried to garden, I didn’t do so well.

My late start, inconsistent weeding, and poor soil prep resulted in just a few usable vegetables.

With God’s help, you and I can do much better in our spiritual gardens.

What do you need to do to prepare your heart for growth?

What needs to be weeded from your life?

What have you been able to harvest from your efforts at righteousness?
May 14, 2026

May 14th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Peter 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a “Yay! Aah” verse if I ever read one.

“Truly glad,” “wonderful joy” right before “endure many trials.”

It makes me want to ask if I can get the joy without the trials.

I already know that answer.

No!

Peter isn’t just telling us to “don’t worry, be happy.”

He’s letting us know that our joy can be greater when our trials are deeper.

I’d rather have skipped some of the hungry days in my life, but they give me an appreciation for God’s provision everyday.

I’d rather have skipped those five months of unemployment way back when. But that time makes me thankful for the job God has provided.

I’d rather have skipped illnesses, but they have allowed me to experience healing, both supernatural and through the natural healing processes of the human body that God designed.

Deep valleys make for high mountaintops.

I’m not saying we should be bipolar, nor should we wallow in the valleys.

But sometimes the best mountain views are from the valleys.

If you are in a valley of trial right now, can you see the mountain top ahead?
What would you ask God for to help you in the climb out of that valley?
May 13, 2026

May 13th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 19-21

Highlight Verse:

“David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭19‬:‭2a‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Previously, (1 Samuel 11) Saul had so badly defeated the Ammonites that no two were found together.

It is implied here that Nahash survived and, with the remnant of the Ammonites, lived as a subject to Saul and then David.

David treated them with respect despite the fact that they had previously attacked an Israelite town (when Saul defeated them).

If you read the rest of today’s reading, you know that Nahash’s son, Hanun, did not realize how powerful Israel was.

He found out.

In case you think that David over-reacted to Hanun, take this story in context.

In that time and place in history, politics were not decided by debates and votes but by military negotiation and battle.

Given Hanun’s treatment of his delegates, David would correctly expect them to invade Israel.

He acted quickly and brought the war to them.

Hanun would have had the opportunity to negotiate.

Instead, he brought in allies with the goal of destroying Israel.

While it was brutal, David acted wisely for the situation.

The end result was peace with the Arameans and Ammonites.

In fact, David’s military and diplomatic actions throughout his reign led to peace in the whole region throughout the reign of his son Solomon.

David had compassion on his neighbors.

When he needed to, he acted decisively and powerfully and wisely.

In our relationships at this point in history, actual physical battle is not appropriate, no matter how tempting it may be.

But sometimes we need to take decisive action to restore relationships.

What decisive actions do you need to take to restore your relationships?
Is there anyone who needs your compassion (like David expressed to Hanun)?
May 12, 2026

May 12th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 3-4

Highlight Verse:

““Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me,”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it quite interesting that there were very close to the right number of Levites to substitute for a tenth of all people.

It’s almost like God planned it that way.

Because He did.

The Bible is full of such “coincidences.”

That tells me that there is no such thing as coincidence.

Instead, God set it up that nature lines up with the principals of the Bible.

Why?

To be honest, I do not know but I can conjecture that

such coincidences are yet another reason to believe in the absolute power of God.

What other coincidences can you think of from the Bible?
Do you think those are coincidences or divine providences.
May 11, 2026

May 11th, 2026

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 19

Highlight Verse:

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This was one of my favorite Bible stories as a child in Sunday School.

I always pictured Zacchaeus as being a dwarf sized person, but this was not likely the case.

He was just short and felt the need to see Jesus.

It is likely that his lifestyle and chosen occupation left him longing for something more real.

He wanted to see if Jesus was the answer to that longing and was willing to act like a child and climb a tree to see Him.

Notice what Jesus said.

First, He called Zacchaeus by name.

We don’t know if Zacchaeus was well known, so Jesus already knew his name or if it was divine knowledge.

What is important is that Jesus called him out by name. The call was specifically for Zacchaeus.

Then Jesus told him hurry.

Why the haste?

I believe it Zacchaeus needed to make his decision to follow Jesus before the temptations of his lifestyle popped back up to pull him away.

Regardless of the reason, why waste another minute away from Jesus?

Zacchaeus’ new life began the moment he trusted Jesus.

If Jesus is calling you to move forward in your faith, whether it is to trust Him in the first place or to move forward in the calling He has for you, why waste another minute resisting Him?

What is Jesus calling you to do right now?
What is in the way of saying yes to that calling?
May 10, 2026

May 10th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 28-29

Highlight Verse:

“Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My old truck was making noise in the front suspension.

The brakes and bearing were nearly new so I “knew” it had to be it ball joints.

They were a royal pain but several hours of work and a couple hundred in parts later, I had new ones installed.

Finally, I took my truck to my favorite repair shop.

It was the steering rack.

I relied on my own insight and my insight was wrong.

I wasted time and money.

But I gained a little knowledge and wisdom.

That was just one story among many in my life.

“If only I had…” is a phrase I’ve used too many times.

I could save so much grief if I would only do one thing – seek wisdom.

Seek wisdom from God’s Word.

Seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

And seek wisdom from wise people.

There are many verses throughout the Bible that speak to seeking wise people for advice.

We would do well to seek counsel early and often.

What wisdom have you gotten from seeking wise council?
How did it help you?
May 9, 2026

May 9th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Proverbs 25:1-16

Highlight Verse:

“Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

If you wonder if we read this lately, why yes; yes we did.

There is so much contained in each chapter of Proverbs, I have no problem doubling back to look at a verse we passed over before.

I was reminded of this verse after we got an amazing amount of snow this week.

A passing snow shower or flurries is not unusual in the Denver area this time of year, but six inches was the most snow in May since 2003. And parts of the mountains got nearly three feet.

That new addition to the snowpack helps us breath a partial sigh of relief. While we are still in a drought, it is not as desperate as it was just last week.

Also, the danger of wildfire is greatly reduced, at least for now.

And, wonder of wonders, our lawn is finally starting to wake up after a long dry winter!

In the context of today’s verse, good messengers revive business. Proper communication can make the difference between a drought of information and a healthy organization.

Likewise, clear communication in ministry removes a common obstacle for God’s Word to reach out into our communities and the world.

Our pride can keep us from asking for clarification. Our anxiety can keep us from sharing. Distraction can keep us from clear understanding.

If we want revival in our land, we need to listen, understand, and share to do our part.

The Holy Spirit will take it from there.

Is there anything distracting you from understanding God’s Word?
Is anxiety keeping you from sharing?
What are you doing to overcome obstacles to hearing and sharing God’s Word?
May 8, 2026

May 8th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 7-8

Highlight Verse:

““The people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, making themselves as worthless as a half-baked cake!”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There was a movie theater with in-theater dining near us. One of my favorite selections there was their “half-baked cookies.” They were gooey and delicious.

That’s not what Hosea is talking about here.

Half-baked cake doesn’t sound nearly as good as those cookies.

I dare say it wasn’t something Israel should have been striving for.

The people of Israel were well instructed in the Law of Moses.

They even went through most of the religious motions in keeping with their culture.

But that didn’t keep them from indulging in the carnal practices of the peoples around them.

They dove so deep into the cesspool of sin that any remnant of love for God was left behind.

All they had was an empty shell of religion.

If you’ve known me for longer than a couple weeks, you know that I am far from legalistic, but I am passionate.

I love God enough to trust Him to lead me in the right way.

I know I’m far from perfect, but I strive to live a better life each day.

For me, among other things, that means trying to avoid media that will take me down a dark path.

For you it might mean something different.

For everyone, we need to avoid that which can drag us away from trusting God.

It’s not a legalistic thing; it is a heart for God thing.

What is it that you need to avoid to keep your heart right toward Jesus?
What are you doing to avoid it?
May 7, 2026

May 7th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – James 5

Highlight Verses:

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By nature, I am not a patient person.

I never got into fishing because of the waiting involved.

And as for gardening, we won’t even go there.

As far as waiting for Jesus to return, I’m not impatient.

But to call that being patient is not exactly accurate.

I want to be around for grandkids and to live this life to its fullest.

And that might be just what James is encouraging here.

In the early church, there was a lot of expectation that Jesus would be returning during the lifetimes of those who saw Him ascend to Heaven.

People would focus their whole lives around that expectation and ignore other important aspects of life.

A healthier expectation would be to live a life of purity and urgency toward bringing people to Jesus so you can be ready if Jesus came back tomorrow.

At the same time prepare and work to sustain a long life if Jesus does not come back in that time.

Where do you strike that balance in your life?
Have you ever had a time in your life when you were convinced Jesus was about to appear or the rapture was about to happen? How did that affect your life?
May 6, 2026

May 6th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 16-18

Highlight Verse:

“Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My time is limited for writing this so I will leave the writing to you.

David urged his people to remember God’s wonders and miracles and the rulings He has given.

Tell us your stories of wonders and miracles you have seen or how following His commands has helped you.

When I have time, I will revisit this and share one of my stories.

It is hard work.

If you do all these things and the weather cooperates, there is nothing quite like garden fresh vegetables!

With God’s help, you and I can do much better in our spiritual gardens.

It makes me want to ask if I can get the joy without the trials.

No!

But sometimes the best mountain views are from the valleys.

In case you think that David over-reacted to Hanun, take this story in context.

While it was brutal, David acted wisely for the situation.

But sometimes we need to take decisive action to restore relationships.

It’s almost like God planned it that way.

Why?

such coincidences are yet another reason to believe in the absolute power of God.

He wanted to see if Jesus was the answer to that longing and was willing to act like a child and climb a tree to see Him.

Then Jesus told him hurry.

If Jesus is calling you to move forward in your faith, whether it is to trust Him in the first place or to move forward in the calling He has for you, why waste another minute resisting Him?

But I gained a little knowledge and wisdom.

And seek wisdom from wise people.

We would do well to seek counsel early and often.

I was reminded of this verse after we got an amazing amount of snow this week.

Likewise, clear communication in ministry removes a common obstacle for God’s Word to reach out into our communities and the world.

If we want revival in our land, we need to listen, understand, and share to do our part.

Half-baked cake doesn’t sound nearly as good as those cookies.

All they had was an empty shell of religion.

For me, among other things, that means trying to avoid media that will take me down a dark path.

It’s not a legalistic thing; it is a heart for God thing.

By nature, I am not a patient person.

And that might be just what James is encouraging here.

At the same time prepare and work to sustain a long life if Jesus does not come back in that time.

David urged his people to remember God’s wonders and miracles and the rulings He has given.